Parque das Nações

The Parque das Nações (Parque das Naçõesis a district of Lisbon which went from being an abandoned industrial area to a modern neighborhood that hosted the 1998 World Exposition in Portugal. For that reason, it is also known as "the Expo".

The Expo gave the capital a new lease of life, as the city had been very concentrated around its historic center (Bairro Alto, Chiado, Alfama, etc.)

©Jose Elias / Sofia Pereira

This newer area of Lisbon is made up of residences, shops, museums, entertainment venues, restaurants, cycling paths, and green spaces along the riverbank.

It has enough attractions to fill a full day of activities.

The architecture here is contemporary, unlike the rest of Lisbon's neighborhoods.

The Parque das Nações is characterized by architecture inspired by maritime and marine themes, with a design style defined by the forms of the Oriente Station, built by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

Among the leisure and cultural attractions available in this area are the Lisbon Oceanarium (one of the best aquariums in Europe), the Vasco da Gama Shopping Centre, the Casino de Lisboa, and the Pavilhão Atlântico, a concert venue. The area brings together several of the best things to do in Lisbon with kids; it is an easy place to get around, with plenty to discover, as well as a great selection of hotels and restaurants.

For children, in addition to the aquarium, there is also the Pavilion of Knowledge (Pavilhão do Conhecimento) which is a very entertaining science museum for families.

There is a cable car to take in a bird's-eye view of the entire area and the river.

You can rent bicycles and ride along the riverside promenade, or even gobirdwatching— it is also a great spot for birdwatching in Lisbon, as it sits right in the heart of the Tagus Estuary.

Parque das Nações also has a modern Marina with berths for up to 600 vessels.

If you want to stay somewhere quieter and more open than the city center, this is a highly recommended option.

Getting There

Simply take the red line of the metro and travel to the Oriente.